After a many years long career riding and training horses for clients, I have now redirected my attention to riding and developing my own horses as well as expanding my coaching focus. A big part of this plan is fellow professional and dear friend, Regina Milliken. Over the last several years, I have used my own horses to help develop her as a trainer for the advanced work. Regina came to the table with an abundance of young horse experience but was unrealized potential in developing horses through the levels. Our daily work on my young mare Enkanta (Escamillo x Ampere) has been a mutually satisfying experience. It has been so much fun for me to share my knowledge with someone so eager and deserving. Within 3 years we have developed Enkanta from a "green broke" 4 year old to developing for the PSG at the age of 7! These 2 girls are impressive. Regina is also involved in the “split the baby” training model of my latest youngster, Tarentino. (Total McLaren X DeNirio) aka Tate is a totally different type who brings new and exciting issues to the training plate.
Regina and Enkanta are just one example of my willingness to share my personal horses and knowledge in developing riders. It’s been a winning recipe since I know my horses quite well. In 2022, on my personally trained horse Dunkirk, I coached a YR to NAYRC success beyond anything anyone expected. This rider came to me 2 years earlier with no experience past First Level. Not only did we qualify during a final year of eligibility with the highest average, we went on to earn an unprecedented team Gold Medal for Region 9 in Traverse City, Michigan. It was a truly magical experience.
My major focus each day is in working with talented, mostly professional student riders and to develop the string of horses I am blessed to own. It’s a privileged place to be. I will still occasionally take an interesting project to train for a client, as time and space allow. I am also available for and often consult on horse sales. I will work as agent in limited circumstances.